Dental impression-tray.



S. G. SUPPLEE.

DENTAL IMPRESSION TRAY.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 28,1914.

Patented Nov. 17, 1914.

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SAMUEL G. SUPPLEE, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY.

DENTAL IMPRESSION-TRAY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 17, 1914.

Application filed March 28, 1914. Serial No. 827,803.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, SAMUEL G. SUPPLEE, acitizen of the United States, residing at East Orange, Essex county,State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Dental Impression Trays, of which the following 15 a full, clear, andexact description.

My invention relates to an improved tray for taking impressions forartificial teeth, whereby a new method of taking impressions may bepractised.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure l is a perspective view of one formof my improved tray. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the impressionmaterial in place, the impression being partly formed. Fig. 3 is a planview of a part of a piece of impression material before it is applied.Fig. 4 is a plan view of the complete impression. Fig. 5 is a section onthe line 55. Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate slight modifications of the trayadapted for different conditions, but embodying my improvement.

The tray construction comprises the base portion 1 having a continuousflange 2 along its inner edge. Along the outer edges are two spacedflanges 3-3.

4 is a handle portion which may be pro vided. and which is preferablyformed integrally with the base 1. In this particular instance, thehandle is located between the flanges 3-3 so that as plainly seen, thatpart of the tray adjacent the handle 4 is open for the purposehereinafter described.

The method of taking the impression comprises, first, placing within thetray the proper amount of plastic impression mate rial 5, said materialbeing arranged around the front of the flange 2 and between said flange2 and the spaced flanges 3-3. In this particular case, it is assumedthat there are teeth present throughout that space intervening betweenthe spaced flanges 3-3. With the tray thus prepared, it is placed in themouth and the teeth are closed down. The tray is then drawn forwardslightly so as to force the impression material into all the spacesaround the rear of and between the teeth, at the same time conformingthat part of the material adjacent to the spaced flanges 3-3 to theaccurate shape of the alveolar ridge and the adjacent tissues. Thecheeks of the patient may be massaged properly to assist in working theimpression material effectively into place so that the impression willbe taken with the face in repose and the mouth closed. Thus far theimpression is accurately conformed to the lingual and buccal sides ofthe ridge where teeth are missing and to the lingual side only of themouth tissues and teeth, where the teeth are present. Following this, apiece of impression material 6 such as conventionally shown in Fig. 3 isapplied to the buccal side of the mouth tissues and the teeth so as tofill in the space intervening between the spaced flanges 33. This partof the Work is done with the mouth closed and in repose, save as it isnecessary to move the lips slightly to facilitate manipulating theimpression material applied at the outer side of the teeth and the outerside of the adjacent tissues. When this work is completed the impressionwill appear, substantially as represented in Fig. 4, which it will ofcourse be understood is merely a conventional showing of only onecondition. As appears in Fig. 4 and in the section Fig. 5, theimpression material may not only be accurately conformed to that part ofthe ridge and adjacent tissues where teeth are missing, but theimpression material is worked well into the spaces between and aroundthe teeth so that a very accurate reroduction of the patients localcondition is secured under normal conditions, that is to say, under theconditions of repose. The open space between the spaced flanges 33permits the tray to be manipulated in a unique manner, that is to say,it permits it to be first placed in approximate position and then drawnforward, which according to my improved method, is essential to the bestresults. This, of course, furnishes no impression of the buccal side ofthe teeth and the adjacent tissues, which impression is taken as asecond step and is made possible by reason of the space furnishedbetween the flanges 33 which space is provided for the express purposeof permitting impression material to be applied to the buccal side ofsaid piece after the balance of the impression is completed.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a modification oi the invention in which thebottom or base of the tray between the flange 2" and the spaced flanges3*3 is somewhat arched.

In the modification shown in Fig. 7, I have shown the flange 2 as beingextended upwardly so as to permit an impression to be taken of the roofof the mouth, as is desirable in taking some upper impressions.

The tray as shown in Figs. 1 to 6 may be employed for taking either anupper or lower impression.

As is obvious, the base of the tray curves substantially to the outlineor curvature of the alveolar ridge.

What I claim is:

1. An impression tray comprising a curved base portion conforminggenerally to the curvature of the alveolar ridge, a continuous flangearound the inner edge of said tinuous flange a1 ound the inner edge ofsaid 20 curve and spaced relatively short flanges at the outer side ofsaid curve, and a handle portion projecting from the base of the traybetween the spaced flanges.

SAMUEL G. STTPPLEE. Witnesses E. E. MORSE, IDA M. HUNZIKER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

spaced relatively short flanges at 15

